PHYSIOTHERAPY IN PALLIATIVE CARE Pauline Cerdor Palliative Care Physiotherapist Peninsula Health Frankston

Palliative care definition "a concept of care which provides coordinated medical, nursing and allied services for people who are terminally ill, delivered where possible in the environment of the person's choice which provides physical, psychological, emotional and spiritual support for patients, and support for patients' families and friends. Includes grief and bereavement support for the family and other carers during the life of the patient and continuing after death.” (

Palliative Care “… the active, total care of patients whose disease no longer responds to curative treatment and for whom the goal must be the best quality of life for them and their families”. What do you let the patient tell you? by Barbara Martlew quoting from Lamerton, 1980 and Doyle, 1987.

Objectives of treatment Be as free as possible from unnecessary suffering (physical, emotional or spiritual); Maintain patient’s dignity and independence throughout the experience; Be cared for in the environment of choice; Recognise and respond to patient’s grief needs Be assured that families needs are also being met. (

Physiotherapy Physiotherapy in palliative care is orientated to achieve the optimum quality of life as perceived by the patient. Wholistic & problem solving approach to therapy Achieve maximum physical, psychological, social, vocational function Adapt traditional therapy to the patient’s changing function More beneficial if begins with diagnosis of cancer and continues as required through the various stages – preventative, restorative, supportive, palliative (Kuchler T., Wood-Dauphinee, S. Working with people who have cancer: Guidelines for Physical Therapists)

Preventative Aims at restricting or inhibiting the development of disability in the course of the disease or treatment before disability occurs Education for patient and families commencing immediately after diagnosis Mobility and exercise programs. Availability of therapist as a resource for patients and families (Kuchler T., Wood-Dauphinee, S. Working with people who have cancer: Guidelines for Physical Therapists)

Restorative Rehabilitation is the objective when no or little residual disability is anticipated for some time and patients are expected to return to normal living styles Encouragement, education and treatment in achieving physical, work and lifestyle goals Specific treatments as required (Kuchler T., Wood-Dauphinee, S. Working with people who have cancer: Guidelines for Physical Therapists)

Supportive Enhance independent functioning when residual cancer is present and progressive disability is probable Encouragement, education and treatment in achieving physical, work and lifestyle goals Availability of therapist as a resource (Kuchler T., Wood-Dauphinee, S. Working with people who have cancer: Guidelines for Physical Therapists)

Palliation Primarily directed at promoting maximum comfort Maintaining the highest level of function possible in the face of disease progression and impending death (Kuchler T., Wood-Dauphinee, S. Working with people who have cancer: Guidelines for Physical Therapists)

Goal of Physiotherapy Determine the patient’s functional loss Estimate functional potential Implement a plan to progress from measured loss to full potential To improve quality of life To listen ‘actively and positively’ with an awareness of priorities as determined by the patient Frost, M The Role of Physical, Occupational and Speech therapt in Hospice: Patient Empowerment (Martlew, B. What do you let the patient tell you. 1996) (wHO 1990)

Achieve the best possible quality of life for patients and their families Availability as a resource for patient and families optimise the patient’s level of physical function take into consideration the interplay between the physical, psychological, social and vocational aspects of function understand the patients underlying emotional, pathological and psychological condition, focus is the physical and functional consequences of the disease and/or its treatment, on the patient. ( Fulton and Else, 1997; p817 Chartered Society of Physiotherapy)

AIM of Physiotherapy Restore the patient’s sense of self facilitate the patient's ability to function with safety and independence in the face of diminishing resources. Maintain optimum respiratory & circulatory function Listen and hear the patient Set realistic goals with the patient

AIM OF PHYSIOTHERAPY Prevent muscle shortening & joint contractures Influence pain control Optimise independence and function Educate in all aspects of physical function Education and participation of the carer Treat the patient with dignity – allowing them to “live until they die” Build a relationship of confidence and trust (Fulton and Else, 1997 Chartered Society of Physiotherapy). (Purtilo, R. Don’t mention it: the physical therapist in a death defying society. 1972)

DIFFERENCES IN PALLIATIVE PHYSIOTHERAPY TREATMENT Traditional physiotherapy treatments need to be modified to accommodate the irregular changing needs of the patient Treatments are brief often less than 10 minutes and are repeated several times per day if possible Frequent rests are required Patient’s status can change suddenly and rapidly Requirement to balance ‘effort’ and ‘fatigue’

Requirement to:- - Monitor and respond appropriately to patient’s verbal & non-verbal expressions of pain - Monitor patient very closely during and between treatments Timely communication to/with other team members is particularly important Contribute to staff confidence with patient transfers by accurate assessment and reporting of patient’s changing transfer abilities Coordinate & participate with nursing staff in transfers of patient

Major issues the patient and therapist face Fatigue, nausea, pain, weakness, lack of confidence, disparity between perceived and actual physical ability, drug reactions Cachexia (major weight loss) progressive, irregular decline in ability muscle wasting disease progression

Treatment Assessment of patient’s physical & transfer abilities Respiratory management/education Mobility towards maximum level independence – treatment & education Active &/or passive mobilization Pain & symptom management Exercise prescription

Treatment Assessment & education in functional ADL Provision of walking aides Pain management - TENS - education Lymph management Massage Relaxation Hydrotherapy

Treatment Home discharge planning with Occupational Therapist - home visit - education, patient & family - provision of aides - liaison with other palliative staff Multidisciplinary meetings Family meetings

Case Study- Mr S Male 65 years old Diagnosis- SCLC, - SVC obstruction, - cord compression - neuropathic pain Admitted from another Hospital

Initial Assessment SOB on minimal exertion Chest – moist, productive cough Strength – R – 4/5; L – 3/5 Joint mobility – full functional Bed mobility – range from assist x 1 to assist x 2 Mobility – at home used 4ww due to leg pain - not walked past 4+ days Pain – back and legs/hips Ascities Fatigues easily

Goals Improve chest status and management Increase leg strength Encourage bed mobility Achieve best possible walking mobility Liaise with wife

Treatment Education - breathing techniques - SOB management - fatigue management Exercise program Assist with bed/chair transfers Progress to sit/stand exercises Progress to walking with 4ww Progress to home education of patient and wife Education and support of wife Liaison with Occupational Therapist – home discharge

Outcome Discharge home after 6.5 weeks Walking with supervision & 4ww, 10-15m Supervision with ADL Light supervision with transfers

Statistics 25% of Palliative Care patients are discharged Physiotherapy currently has 16 hours per week for a 15 bed ward

Bibliography Kuchler T., Wood-Dauphinee, S. Working with people who have cancer: Guidelines for Physical Therapists Purtilo, R. Don’t mention it: the physical therapist in a death defying society Martlew, B. What do you let the patient tell you WHO 1990 Frost, M The Role of Physical, Occupational and Speech therapt in Hospice: Patient Empowerment Winningham, M.L. Walking Program fro People with Cancer. Getting Started Brown, D.J. The Problem of Weakness in Patients with Cancer Laakso, E. McAuliff, AJ. Cantlay, A. The Impact of Physiotherapy Interventions on Functional Independence and Quality of Life in Palliative Patients Shanks, R. Physiotherapy in Palliative Care. 1982